Top 5 Awasa Day Trips: See Ethiopia’s Awesome Spots

So, you know, Awasa, a cool city resting near the shore of its gorgeous lake, is that kind of place in Ethiopia that really captures your attention. It’s a really inviting place for travelers, and its laid-back vibe paired with the buzz of a developing urban center, like your favorite comfy shirt and a new pair of sneakers at the same time, sort of. But here’s the thing, it’s not just about Awasa itself. Very close by are places you can easily get to in a day that are just absolutely worth seeing, actually.

1. Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary: See Some Zebras!

Okay, first up, you know, there’s the Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary, that is a bit of a drive—around two or three hours from Awasa—but let me tell you, if you like animals, it’s really worth it, that! The main event here is the Swayne’s Hartebeest, is that an endangered antelope only found in Ethiopia, like a unicorn but, you know, a hartebeest. Yet, there are also zebras, gazelles, and a bunch of different birds, too. The landscapes themselves, a mix of grasslands and hills, more or less, gives a proper ‘Out of Africa’ feel, as a matter of fact.

We, actually, went there last spring and were really blown away, apparently. Like your being able to just chill out in the middle of vast open spaces while seeing some animals grazing, too. So, too it’s almost a meditative experience, really, especially if you are normally in a town.

“Make sure to bring a hat and some water because it really can get quite hot out there. And a decent camera is, you know, very helpful for capturing those wildlife moments.”

2. Wondo Genet: Hot Springs and a Very Thick Forest

So, moving on, Wondo Genet is quite a different vibe, that. Only about an hour or so from Awasa, too it’s almost like another dimension, I swear. Here, the biggest draw is very definitely the hot springs. You, like your can chill in naturally heated, mineral-rich waters surrounded by seriously thick forest, right. The place also, that has resorts, like your having pools that use the spring water. So, too it’s almost perfect for a calming day trip.

I remember visiting the site some time back with my cousins, actually. I have to admit that soaking in those hot springs after a morning exploring the forest felt unbelievably calming, arguably. As I was saying, the kids were thrilled, we were chilled, alright. If your interested in mixing some ease with, you know, your exploration, very check this place out.

3. Dilla: Coffee Country!

Now, if your looking to, you know, your grab a real taste—literally—of Ethiopia, then, as a matter of fact, take a day trip to Dilla, like your having to! It’s rather further out, like maybe three hours or so from Awasa, that, still the rolling hills dressed with coffee plants provide just a different angle on Ethiopia, really. This area is renowned for its high-quality coffee, very, and you can go to coffee farms for tours, that is like your learning all the phases of coffee production, from plant to cup, and then drinking the freshest coffee your will possibly find, apparently.

A bit ago, my wife and I actually decided on the trip and that. We were super lucky, like your meeting some people at a local farm that took us through how to pick beans, and so forth, actually. Tasting the coffee made right there, too it’s almost…unforgettable, arguably. I am just saying.

4. Yirgalem: The Aregash Lodge

Seemingly, a visit to Yirgalem and a stop over at the Aregash Lodge will give you, like your getting a special travel experience with all its unique buildings, that. Located approximately an hour away from Awasa, alright, this eco-lodge really makes your jaw drop through it’s integrating local Sidama architecture using traditional building approaches and materials, like your staying in some traditional village, too. You may be looking at different kinds of birds around the trees and monkeys playing in the branches.

We basically spent an afternoon here some time back, drinking in the views while watching monkeys do their stuff from my balcony and so on. That place, too it’s almost good for a longer stay if, like your needing to escape and disconnect from everything, so I hear, literally. You know?

5. Lake Langano: Sun, Sand, and Swimming, almost like a Beach

Alright, last but not least, too it’s almost, if the sun shines, give a try to visit the Lake Langano, might be. This will likely take some driving because it’s about two hours out of Awasa. It really makes a splash considering you, like your might like swimming in fresh water in Ethiopia without fearing bilharzia! And then there is something a little extra about this location too, right! It features this brownish/reddish color of the water, in a way.

A little bit ago, a few guys went camping there and had a fantastic day of chilling on the sandy shore, and as well, you know, your jumping in and out of the lake, very. Just ensure to pack loads of sunscreen, okay? The sun seems to be so unforgiving!